Apparatus for opening of bottles,cans,containers, casks,and the like

ABSTRACT

THERE IS DISCLOSED AN APPARATUS FOR OPENING BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS, CASKS AND THE LIKE WHICH IS OF THE TYPE INCORPORATING A NEEDLE WHICH PIERCINGLY EXTENDS THROUGH THE CORK INTO THE INTERNAL COMPARTMENT OF A BOTTLE OR THE LIKE. BY MEANS OF THIS NEEDLE AND THROUGH THE ACTION OF A PUMP UNIT, AIR CAN BE CONVEYED BENEATH THE CORK. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, THE PUMP UNIT ENCOMPASSES A PISTON MEMBER SITUATED IN A HOUSING, THIS PISTON MEMBER BEING ACTUATED BY A LEVER MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING. FURTHERMORE, A CAN OPENER MECHANISM IS ARRANGED AT A PORTION OF THE HOUSING WHICH FACES AWAY FROM THE CORK PULLER OR REMOVAL MECHANISM. THIS CAN OPENER MECHANISM CAN BE ACTUATED BY A ROTARY KNOB SEATED UPON THE SHAFT OF A TRANSPORT WHEEL.

Jan. 5, 1971 'w TEI E 3,552,241

APfARATUS FOR OP .NING OE BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS, CASKS, AND

- THE LIKE Filed. Dec; 11 1968 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 BY M fM ATTORNEYS -W.STEINER Jan. 5, v1971 APPARATUS FOR FPENING OF BOTTLES, CANS,CONTAINERS, CASKS, AND

THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11, 1968 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS FiledDec. 11, 1968 Jan. 5, 1971 v w. STEINER 3,552,241

APPARATUS FOR OPENING OF BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS, CASKS, AND

' THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR #014724 saw 5e BY {MW ATTORNEYJ,

" w; SYT'EJINER Jan. 5, 1971 APPARATUS FOR OPENING-OF BOTTLES, cANs,CONTAINERS,. CASKS; AND

THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec 11, 1968 Ir .trrhu A INVENTORM4472)? 572 4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,552,241 APPARATUS FOROPENING OF BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS, CASKS, AND THE LIKE WalterSteiner, 14 Oberseenerstrasse, Winterthur, Switzerland Filed Dec. 11,1968, Ser. No. 782,922 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec.12, 1967, 17,416/67; Jan. 26, 1968, 1,249/68 Int. Cl. B67b 7/08, 7/44US. Cl. 813.1 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed anapparatus for opening bottles, cans, containers, casks and the likewhich is of the type incorporating a needle which piercingly extendsthrough the cork into the internal compartment of a bottle or the like.By means of this needle and through the action of a pump unit, air canbe conveyed beneath the cork. According to the invention, the pump unitencompasses a piston member situated in a housing, this piston memberbeing actuated by a lever member rotatably mounted in the housing.Furthermore, a can opener mechanism is arranged at a portion of thehousing which faces away from the cork puller or removal mechanism. Thiscan opener mechanism can be actuated by a rotary knob seated upon theshaft of a transport wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to amultipurpose utensil and, in its more specific aspect, concerns acombination device or apparatus which serves to open bottles, cans,containers, casks, and similar type articles. The inventive combinationdevice is of the type incorporating a needle which extends through thecork into the interior of a bottle, by means of which air can be pumpedthrough the action of a pump unit beneath the cork; In this manner, anoverpressure is generated in the space between the level of the liquidin the bottle and the inner edge of the cork which, when it issufiiciently large, serves to lift the cork out of the bottle.

There are different types of physical constructions of devices known tothe art by means of which it is possible through the action of a pumpunit to pump air into the inside of a bottle through a needle tip whichhas been inserted through the cork into the interior of the bottle.However, it has been found that the previously known constructionspossess certain drawbacks, because they fail to adequately accommodateto the particular characteristics of a bottle closure having a cork. Acork which has been properly inserted into the neck of the bottlegenerally forms a faultless, fluid-tight closure, but this is in no wayintended to imply that such closure is also gastight. Now, it is knownthat when using cork puller mechanisms which operate according to theprinciple of injecting air into the bottle, it is not possible to buildup sufiicient'pressure because the cork does not provide any gas-tightclosure. The air which has been introduced into the space beneath thecork and above thelevel of the liquid in the bottle again escapes intothe atmosphere and the cork retains an unchanged position at the bottle.This drawback could be compensated if sufficient air is quickly and insufficient quantity introduced into; the bottle. How- Ice ever, the pumpunit is unfortunately designed such that it does not possess asufiicient pumping capacity.

On the other hand, sometimes it occurs that the cork adheres quitestrongly to the neck of the bottle. Then, it is necessary to use arelatively high pressure, but the danger exists that the bottle itselfwill crack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary objective of thepresent invention to provide an improved device for opening bottles,cans, containers, casks, and similar type articles, which effectivelyprevents the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved device of the type described which is capable of effectivelyremoving a cork from a bottle in a safe and reliable manner.

A further significant object of the present invention relates to acombination device of the aforementioned type which provides, in asingle unit, means for opening various types of containers orreceptacles, such as bottles, cans, casks, and the like, with minimumeffort.

A further object of the present invention relates to an improvedcombination device of the type described which is relatively simple inconstruction, extremely economical to manufacture, highly reliable inoperation, and not readily subject to breakdown.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the invention contemplates that the pump unit incorporates apiston member which is disposed in a housing, such piston member beingactuated by a lever member rotatably mounted at the housing.Additionally, a can opener mechanism is arranged at the portion of thehousing which is facing away from the cork puller mechanism. This canopener mechanism can be actuated by a rotary knob or the like seatedupon a shaft of a transport wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood, and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent, when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of inventivemultipurpose utensil or combination device for opening bottles, cans,containers, casks, and similar type articles, incorporating a needlevalve unit provided with a needle member which is mounted upon thegraspable housing;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken through the graspablehousing of the inventive combination device showing details of the pumpunit and the actuation lever therefor;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from theopposite side thereof; however, with the needle valve and needle memberremoved as well as depicting the actuation lever locked flushly at thegraspable housing, and further showing the can opener mechanism arrangedat the lower portion of the graspable housing; and,

FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in section, taken through the graspablehousing of the inventive device depicted in FIG. 2.

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings,in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates the graspable housing or bodymember of the inventive device which can be conveniently held in thehand of the user. At one of the narrow sides 1a of the graspable housing1, there is located a slot 1b out of which extends the actuation lever2. This actuation lever 2 possesses a safety slide or catch 3 by meansof which it is possible to fix the actuation lever 2 at the graspablehousing 1, so that this lever bears fiushly against the housing andcloses the slit 1b appearing at the aforementioned narrow side 1a.

The inventive device further incorporates a cork puller or cork poppingmechanism which, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises a needle valveunit 4 which can be threadably attached to the upper end face of thegraspable housing 1, as best shown by referring to FIG. 1. Additionally,it will be seen that the needle valve unit 4 is provided with threading5 at the side facing the needle member 6, by means of which the needlevalve unit 4, if desired, can be threaded into the cork. The cork lifteror popping needle member 6 is mounted or located upon the needle valveunit 4.

Continuing, and by referring to FIG. 2, it will be recognized that arecess 11 is provided in the graspable housing 1, and a conical portion12 and an elongate channel 13 communicated with the recess 11. Duringnon-use of the cork puller mechanism, the needle valve unit 4, togetherwith its needle member 6, are accommodated in the hollow compartmentdefined by the recess 11, the therewith merging conical portion 12, andthe elongate channel 13 which, in turn, merges with the conical portion12. Furthermore, located within the graspable housing 1 is a cylinder 14which is closed by an insert member 15. A piston member 16 reciprocateswithin the cylinder 14, this piston member 16 extending downwardly toprovide a piston rod 17. The piston member 16 and the piston rod 17 areprovided with a longitudinally extending hollow bore 17a serving toreceive a portion of a spring member 18. The other portion, namely, theupper portion of the spring member 18, is guided by a cylindricalprojection 19 provided at the insert member 15. In the position of thespring member 18 shown in FIG. 2, it possesses a certain prestress orbias and urges the actuation lever 2 into its operational position. Inorder to secure the actuation lever 2 at the graspable housing 1, thesafety catch or slide 3 is displaced into engagement with the bore 20provided at the upper end face of the housing 1.

The insert member 15 possesses a threaded recess portion 21 at its upperface or end, into which the needle valve unit 4 can be threadablyattached. The needle valve unit 4 operably communicates with the innercompartment of the cylinder 14 through the provision of the channels 22and 23. A suction valve 24 is arranged at the piston rod 17, whereas theconventional pressure valve is provided at the needle valve unit 4 andis not visible in the drawings.

A link or lever member 25 is pivotably mounted at the piston rod 17 by abolt member 26 or equivalent fastening expedient. The opposite end ofthis link member 25 is connected with the actuation lever 2 by means ofa further bolt 27 or the like. This actuation lever 2 is mounted bymeans of a bolt member 28 in a bracket member 29. This bracket member 29possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration, wherein the baseportion 30 forms a downwardly extending closure portion and both of thebracket-like leg members 31 thereof extend upwardly. Both of thesebracket-like leg members 31 of the bracket 29 form two walls in whichthere are mounted the bolt or shaft member 28 and the transport wheel 8of the can opener mechanism. The actuation lever 2 is pivotably orrotatably mounted by means of this bolt or shaft member 28.Additionally, the bracketlike leg members 31 are provided with slitmeans 32. A bolt member 33 piercingly extends through both of the slitmeans 32, such bolt member 33 being fixedly mounted in the wall portionsof the graspable housing 1. Furthermore, the bolt member 33 piercinglyextends through a recess or cutaway portion 34 provided at the actuationlever 2, this recess 34 possessing an approximately triangularconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention, it should 'be recognized that aparticularly large stroke is produced during the pumping operation whichis composed of two components. In the one instance, there is a strokewhich results due to the rotation or pivoting of the lever member 2about the bolt member 28 and, on the other hand, a further stroke due tothe lifting of the bracket member 29 until the bolt 33 is located in thelower position of the elongated slot 32. This partial stroke is providedin that during the movement of the actuation lever 2 the cutaway orrecess portion 34 moves along the contour of the bolt 33.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the graspable housing 1 mustpossess a size which can be readily handled in convenient fashion, but,however, must be large enough so that still further utensils or devicescan be accomodated thereat. Thus, in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a canopener mechanism mounted at the lower portion of the graspablehousing 1. The same actuation lover 2 which is used for the cork pullermechanism is also used to operate the can opener mechanism.

The can opener mechanism is located at the side or portion of thehousing 1 which faces away from the cork puller mechanism previouslydescribed. This can opener mechanism embodies a transport wheel 8 and acutting wheel 9. Instead of the cutting wheel 9, it would also bepossible to use a stationary cutter. Cooperating with the transportwheel 8 and with the cutting wheel 9 are two roller members 10 which arearranged to each side of the cutting wheel 9, as best shown by referringto FIG. 3. Furthermore, by directing attention to FIG. 4, it will berecognized that the cutting wheel 9 is enclosed by a collar 49 which isinclined with respect to the walls of the graspable housing 1. Theclamping rollers 10 which are arranged to each side of the cutting wheel9 are rotatably mounted at the roller support 50. This roller support 50is formed of sheet metal, or other suitable material, and bears againstthe wall of the grapsable housing 1 from the outside thereof and engagesby means of two hook-shaped bent fingers or fiaps 51 with a respectiverecess 52. Spring means 53 are arranged in the recesses 52, these springmeans 53 acting as pressure springs which serve to press the rollersupport 50 against a stop means or member 54.

The transport wheel 8 of the can opener mechanism is arranged upon ashaft 37 which is rotatably mounted at the graspable housing 1. The endof this shaft member 37 which faces away from the transport wheel 8extends out of the graspable housing 1. Upon this protruding end of thetransport wheel shaft 37, which end can be constructed in the form of asquare bolt, there is secured a rotatable knob 58 which can beconstructed in the manner of a wing nut.

The cork puller or lifter mechanism of the inventive device functions asfollows: Initially, the security catch or slide 3 is retracted out ofengagement with the bore 20 so that the operating or actuation leverarrives at the position shown in FIG. 2 under the action of the springmember 18. Consequently, the substantially U-shaped bracket 29 isdisplaced into the lower position depicted in FIG. 2, which is definedby the elongated slot 32 and the bolt member 33. Now, the needle valvemechanism 4 together with the cork popping needle 6 is removed from thehollow compartment defined by the components 11, 12 and 13 and isthreaded into the threaded recessed portion 21 of the upper end face ofthe insert member 15. The cork puller or cork popping device is nowready for operation. The needle 6 is then pushed through the cork of thebottle or the like, whereupon the one hand is used to carry out pumpingmotions by means of the operating or actuation lever 2. Thus, due topressing of the actuation lever 2 against the graspable housing 1' thepiston member 16 will be displaced until it reaches the lower end of theinsert member 15. In so doing, the air is conveyed through the channels22 and 23 via the pressure valve located in the needle valve unit 4,through the hollow needle 6, into the air compartment of the bottle tobe opened. The pumping motion previously considered is continued forsuch time until sufficient pressure is available to pop out or removethe cork.

In the event that the cork cannot be removed in this manner, which couldoccur if the cork has not been sufficiently rigidly fixed into thebottle, then the threading located at the needle valve unit 4 can bethreaded into the cork. As a result, a sufficient sealing action isachieved so that also a satisfactory pressure can be generated forpopping out the cork. However, the threading 5 of the needle valve unit4 which has been threaded into the cork can be also advantageously usedas a corkscrew in order to completely remove a cork which has not beenentirely pulled out of the bottle.

The graspable housing 1, the operating actuation lever 2, the insertmember 15, the needle valve unit 4, the piston 16 with its piston rod17, and the link or lever 25, are all advantageously formed of a plasticpossessing sufficient hardness. This renders possible, for instance, inthe case of the piston member 16, that its sealing collar 16a can beformed of one piece together with the piston member 16.

The cork puller or lifter mechanism of the invention can be easilyoperated with one hand. It is sufficient to carry out movements with theactuation lever 2 in order to attain aneifortless removal of the cork.Owing to the magnitude of the stroke of the piston member 16, whichstroke is composed of two partial strokes, it is also possible to removecorks which are somewhat air permeable. In the case of corks which aremore air permeable, the needle valve unit 4 together with its corkwithdrawal threading '5 which faces the needle tip 6 is threaded to suchan extent until the cork is positively sealed. Thereafter, the cork canbe removed in the usual manner. But even with fixedly adhering corks,the withdrawal threading 5 provided at the needle valve unit 4 is ofadvantage. This cork withdrawal threading is used to assist the removalof the cork in that, on the one hand, due to the pumping in of air apressure is exerted upon the cork and, on the other hand, by means ofthe withdrawal threading 5, the user pulls upon the cork just as with anormal cork puller. Owing to this double action which is exterted uponthe cork, it is possible to practically remove every cork from a bottle.

The can opener mechanism provided at the inventive device functions asfollows: Initially, the security bolt 3 is pushed back so that the leverarrives at the position depicted in FIG. 2 due to the action of anon-illustrated spring. In this position, in which the bracket member29, and therefore, also the transport or drive wheel 8 is lowered, thecutting wheel 9 or the stationary cutter can be easily introduced intothe inner edge of the can 56 (FIG. 4). Now, if the lever 2 is pressedagainst the housing 1 and retained thereat, then the bracket member 29is raised and remains, as long as the lever 2 is fixedly held at thehousing 1, in the upper position, whereby the bolt 33 is located at thelower end of the slot 32. As shown in FIG. 3, in this position, thetransport or drive wheel 8 engages beneath the cutting wheel 9. At thesame time, the rollers 10 bear upon the indicated edge of the can andthus press the can, under the spring action of the springs 53, againstthe transport wheel 8, so that the can is positively entrained. Now, ifby means of the rotary knob 58 the transport wheel shaft 37 and,therefore, the transport Wheel 8 is placed into motion, then, the can isopened. The transport wheel 8 possess a number of notches 60 at itsperiphery which are not symmetrical, rather are inclined towards onedirection so that they intensely fixedly hook themselves in onedirection at the can. They impart to the can opener mechanismparticularly favorable properties, so that also cans with pronouncedchanges in direction or contour can be likewise opened withoutdifiiculty. Actuation by means of the rotatable knob 58 requires onlyvery little force.

After the opening of a can, the actuation lever 2 is released, so thatit assumes the position shown in FIG. 2. Consequently, at the same time,the bracket member 29 and, therefore, the transport Wheel shaft 37 withthe transport wheel 8 is lowered. Now, the can opener can be easilyremoved without difliculty from the can.

The graspable housing 1 permits the mounting of further devices,especially at the end face which is situated opposite to that end facerequired for the threadable mounting of of the needle valve unit 4.Thus, it will be seen that at the lower end face 6 of the graspablehousing 1, there is arranged a slide mechanism 41. This slide mechanism41 travels in two grooves or ways 42 provided at the side walls of thegraspable housing 1. Furthermore, slide mechanism 41 is provided with astructural steel member 43, which is flexed or bent at one side to forma tool 44 for opening bottles having a metal closure as well as bottlecaps which can be cut and then lifted away. At the opposite end of thestructural steel member 43 there is provided a portion which possesses asubstantially triangular tip 45, this tip 45 being downwardly bent, asshown in FIG. 2. Thus, when the slide mechanism 41 is displaced to theleft of FIG. 2, it is possible to use this tip portion 45 to press apouring opening out of the bottom of a can or other type of cask orcontainer. A screw 46 which is mounted at the slide mechanism 41 extendsinto a slot 47 so that the lateral displaceability of the sildemechanism 41 is conveniently limited. A spring member 48 generates acertain friction to thereby fixedly retain in this manner the slidemechanism 41 at the momentarily assumed operational position.

The slide mechanism 41 functions in the following manner: In order toopen bottles which are sealed with a metal cap, the slide mechanism 41is displaced into the right-hand terminal position of FIG. 2 until thescrew 46 impacts against the edge of the slot 47. Now, it is possible toremove the metallic closures from the bottles. In so doing, operation ofthe actuation lever is not necessary, and therefore, it isadvantageously brought to its rest position where it bears snuggly orflushly against the graspable housing 1 and retained in this position bymeans of the securing catch 3.

In the same position of the slide member 41 it is possible to use theworking edge 44, which has been sharpened for this purpose, to cut awaythe head portion of a cap arranged over the neck of the bottle forprotecting the cork. Then, the upper portion of the cap can be removedand the cork is rendered accessible for pulling out of the bottle.

If the slide mechanism or member 41 is placed into the left-handterminal position, then the flexed or bent tip portion 45 can be pushedinto the floor or bottom of cans and other casks or containers toprovide a pouring or aeration opening.

A further possibility for cutting away a protective cap or hood from thebottle or the like is provided by the arrangement of a rotatably mountedcutting wheel 57 at the back of the actuation or operating lever 2. Whenthis actuation lever 2 assumes its effectual or operable position, thecutting wheel 57 is located at the region of the graspable housing 1,shown in FIG. 2. The neck of the bottle is now placed and turned in theangular area defined by the intersection of the back or rear portion ofthe graspable housing 1 and the extended lever 2. Consequently, the

cutting wheel 57 cuts into the cap or hood enclosing the neck of thebottle which can then be removed. The cutting wheel 57 is advantageouslyformed of material which can be hardened to be glass hard, so that thecutting wheel 57 also does not tend to become dull even during intensiveuse. This manner of cutting away bottle cap closures or protective hoodsor seals has proven itself to be exceptionally simple and easy toperform.

As already explained, the multipurpose utensil or combination device ofthe invention is essentially formed of plastic components. Only theelements which are intensively used or subjected to stress, such as theneedle 6, the cutting wheels 9 and 57, the rollers 10, the rollersupport 50, the springs 53, 18 and 39, the transport Wheel shaft 37, aswell as a number of the bolts, are formed of partially hardened steel,for instance.

Should, nonetheless, it still not be possible to remove the cork, forinstance, with especially permeable corks, by means of the combinationof the generation of pressure beneath the cork and the pulling of thecork by means of the spiral-shaped threading at the needle valve unit 4,then, it would be possible to still provide a special cork puller ofconventional construction at the graspable housing 1. This special corkpuller can be threaded at the graspable housing 1 at the location of theneedle valve unit 4 or at a different location of such graspablehousing.

The operation of the can opener mechanism is also quite simple. Itsoperation is carried out independently of the cork puller mechanismowing to the actuation of the rotatable knob 58 arranged at thetransport wheel shaft 37. With the transport wheel lowered, thegraspable housing is held with one hand at the can and thereafter thelever is partially or completely placed against the housing. With theother hand, the transport wheel is placed into motion due to thesubsequent actuation of the rotatable knob so that the opening of thecan occurs.

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that theobjects set forth at the outset to the specification have beensuccessfully achieved.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A device for opening bottles, cans, containers, casks, and the like,comprising a housing, a cork removal mechanism provided at said housing,said cork removal mechanism embodying needle valve means including aneedle member capable of piercingly extending through a cork into theinterior of a bottle, a pump unit for delivering air via said needlemember beneath the cork, said pump .unit including a piston memberdisposed at said housing,

lever means pivotably mounted at said housing, serving to actuate saidpiston member, a can opener mechanism arranged at said housing at aregion thereof facing away from said cork removal mechanism, said canopener mechanism including a transport wheel, a shaft member cooperatingwith said transport wheel, and a rotary knob seated upon said shaftmember for actuating said can opener mechanism.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever means includes anactuation lever member, a pivot bolt for pivotably mounting saidactuation lever member, the stroke of said piston member being composedof at least two partial strokes, one of which occurs due to rotation ofsaid aituation lever member about said pivot bolt and the other of whichoccurs due to raising of said pivot bolt of said actuation lever memberwith respect to said housing through a predetermined amount.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, further including a bracket membermounted to be lengthwise displaceable in said housing, said lever meansincluding an actuation lever member, said actuation lever member andsaid shaft member of said transport wheel of said can opener mechanismbeing rotatably mounted at said bracket memher.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, further including means for mountingsaid bracket member so as to be 8 lengthwise displaceable in saidhousing, said mounting means incorporating slit means provided at saidbracket member and a bolt member secured to said housing engaging withsaid slit, said bolt member cooperating with said slit to limit thelengthwise displaceability of said bracket member.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said actuation lever memberis provided with a recess, said bolt member engaging with said recessand providing the guiding means for said actuation lever member, wherebyupon application of said actuation lever member against said housing,said recess slides along the contour of said bolt member and therebyraises said bracket member.

6. A device as defined in claim 3, further including a pivot bolt forpivotably mounting said actuation lever member at said bracket member,said pivot bolt defining the axis of rotation of said actuation levermember in the upper position of said bracket member.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotary knob incorporatesat least two wing portions which extend approximately radially withrespect to the axis of said transport wheel, said rotary knob beingprovided With a bore disposed between said wing portions in order tomount said rotary knob upon said shaft member of said transport wheel.

8. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said lengthwise displaceablebracket member is movable between an upper position and a lowerposition, and wherein the near upper position of said bracket membercorresponds to the working position of the can opener mechanism and thelower position of said bracket member renders possible the introductionof the can opener at the can which is to be opened.

9. A device as defined in claim 1, further including a displaceablebracket member mounted at said housing, said shaft member for saidtransport wheel of said can opener mechanism being mounted at saidbracket member.

10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes ahollow compartment for accommodating said needle valve means with itsneedle member, said needle valve means and housing having cooperatingmeans for threadably connecting said needle valve means with its needlemember in an operable position and for permitting detachment of saidneedle valve means and needle member during non-use thereof, whereinsaid needle valve means and needle member is accommodated in said hollowcompartment of said housing.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said needle valve means isprovided with cork withdrawal threading at the side thereof facing saidneedle member.

12. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes arecess portion for retractably receiving said lever means duringnon-use, and means for fixedly retaining said lever means in itsinoperable position at said housing.

13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes anarrow side portion, additional tool means displaceably mounted at saidnarrow side portion, said additional tool means including a tool memberwhich is bent at one end and tapers into a point for pressing an openingin the cover of a can member, the opposite end of said tool memberhaving a hook-shaped end portion for removing bottle closures and forcutting away bottle protective caps.

14. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said can opener mechanismfurther includes a cutting element which is mounted at an inclination atsaid housing, and support rollers arranged at each side of said cuttingelement.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said cutting elementcomprises a cutting wheel.

16. A device as defined in claim 14, further including a roller supportmember secured fiushly for lengthwise displacement at the exterior ofsaid housing, said support rollers being attached to said roller supportmember, and spring means acting upon said lengthwise displaceable rollersupport member and acting in the direction of said transport wheel.

17. A device as defined in claim 1, further including an additional corkpuller of standard construction provided at said housing.

18. A device as defined in claim 1, further including an additional corkpuller of standard construction which can be threadably attached to saidhousing instead of said needle valve means.

19. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever means includes anactuation lever member having a back portion, a cutting wheel membermounted at said back portion of said actuation lever member, saidcutting wheel member being rotatably arranged at said back portion ofsaid actuation lever member and being placed into an operable positionwhen said actuation lever member is brought into its operable positionexternally of said housing in order to cut bottle closures or caps awayfrom a bottle by means of said rotatable cutting wheel member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1956 Farandatos 813.2 6/1964Cameron 81-3.1

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

